U.S. patent application number 15/883990 was filed with the patent office on 2018-06-07 for apparatus for processing sheets and apparatus for forming images provided with the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to CANON FINETECH NISCA INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Isao Kondo, Takahiro Nakano, Takashi Saito. Invention is credited to Isao Kondo, Takahiro Nakano, Takashi Saito.
Application Number | 20180155147 15/883990 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58097479 |
Filed Date | 2018-06-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180155147 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nakano; Takahiro ; et
al. |
June 7, 2018 |
APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING SHEETS AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING IMAGES
PROVIDED WITH THE SAME
Abstract
A sheet processing apparatus includes a transport path to
transport a sheet to a first tray, a branch path branched off from
the transport path to transport a sheet to a second tray, a first
transport roller positioned in the transport path on a downstream
side of a branch position of the transport path and the branch path
to transport a sheet in either direction of the first tray or the
branch path, a second transport roller positioned on the branch
path to transport a sheet in either direction of the second tray or
the transport path, and a control section recognizing a transport
length of the sheet transported by the first transport roller and
the second transport roller, and controlling the first transport
roller and the second transport roller. The control section
performs first and second transports for switchback-transporting a
sheet.
Inventors: |
Nakano; Takahiro;
(Misato-shi, JP) ; Saito; Takashi; (Misato-shi,
JP) ; Kondo; Isao; (Misato-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nakano; Takahiro
Saito; Takashi
Kondo; Isao |
Misato-shi
Misato-shi
Misato-shi |
|
JP
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
CANON FINETECH NISCA INC.
Misato-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
58097479 |
Appl. No.: |
15/883990 |
Filed: |
January 30, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15245419 |
Aug 24, 2016 |
9919890 |
|
|
15883990 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 29/125 20130101;
B65H 2511/415 20130101; B65H 31/10 20130101; B65H 37/04 20130101;
B65H 29/60 20130101; B65H 2301/4213 20130101; B65H 2511/20
20130101; B65H 2511/11 20130101; B65H 31/3027 20130101; B65H 31/26
20130101; B65H 2404/1521 20130101; B65H 2513/10 20130101; B65H
2404/693 20130101; B65H 2404/632 20130101; B65H 29/14 20130101;
B65H 43/00 20130101; B65H 2301/4212 20130101; B65H 2403/942
20130101; B65H 2801/27 20130101; B65H 2511/415 20130101; B65H
2220/01 20130101; B65H 2511/11 20130101; B65H 2220/01 20130101;
B65H 2513/10 20130101; B65H 2220/02 20130101; B65H 2511/20
20130101; B65H 2220/02 20130101; B65H 2220/11 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65H 29/60 20060101
B65H029/60; B65H 43/00 20060101 B65H043/00; B65H 29/12 20060101
B65H029/12; B65H 31/10 20060101 B65H031/10; B65H 37/04 20060101
B65H037/04; B65H 29/14 20060101 B65H029/14; B65H 31/26 20060101
B65H031/26; B65H 31/30 20060101 B65H031/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 28, 2015 |
JP |
2015-168393 |
Aug 28, 2015 |
JP |
2015-168394 |
Aug 28, 2015 |
JP |
2015-168395 |
Aug 28, 2015 |
JP |
2015-168396 |
Claims
1. A sheet processing apparatus comprising: a transport path
adapted to receive a sheet to transport the sheet to a first tray;
a branch path branched off from the transport path to transport a
sheet to a second tray; a first transport roller positioned in the
transport path on a downstream side of a branch position of the
transport path and the branch path to be able to transport a sheet
in either direction of the first tray or the branch path; a second
transport roller positioned on the branch path to be able to
transport a sheet in either direction of the second tray or the
transport path; and a control section recognizing a transport
length of the sheet transported by the first transport roller and
the second transport roller, and controlling the first transport
roller and the second transport roller, wherein the control section
performs first transport for switchback-transporting a sheet to
cause the sheet to once wait in the branch path after the sheet
transported in the transport path passes through the branch
position, and transporting the sheet to the first tray together
with a subsequent sheet, and second transport for
switchback-transporting a sheet to transport to the second tray via
the branch path after the sheet transported in the transport path
passes through the branch position, and changes a transport
velocity of the switchback-transporting corresponding to the
transport length of the sheet.
2. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
control section makes the velocity of the switchback-transporting
lower when the length of the sheet undergoing the
switchback-transporting is longer than a predetermined reference
than when the length of the sheet is shorter than the predetermined
reference.
3. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a
sheet discharge tray for collecting sheets is disposed on a
downstream side of the first tray disposed in a downstream end of
the transport path, an end-face stitching unit for binding an end
face of a bunch of sheets is arranged in the first tray, and a
saddle stitching unit for binding substantially a center in a sheet
transport direction of a bunch of sheets is arranged in the second
tray.
4. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
control section makes the reference of the length of the sheet to
lower the switchback-transporting different between a case of the
first transport and a case of the second transport.
5. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
first transport roller includes a pair of rollers supported to be
able to shift between a press-contact position nipping the sheet to
transport and a separate position releasing a nip of the sheet, and
in case a sheet for the switch-back transporting is longer than a
predetermined length, after the sheet is nipped by the second
transport roller, the control section shifts the first transport
roller to the separate position to enable a next sheet to be
received.
6. A sheet processing apparatus comprising: an apparatus frame; a
transport path adapted to receive a sheet to transport the sheet; a
first tray positioned on a downstream side of the transport path
and having an end-face stitching unit for binding end faces of
sheets; a sheet discharge tray positioned on an outside of the
apparatus frame at a downstream side of the first tray and
collecting a sheet discharged from the first tray; a branch path
branched off at a branch position of the transport path at an
upstream side of the first tray; a second tray positioned on a
downstream side of the branch position and having a saddle
stitching unit for binding substantially a center of sheets in a
sheet transport direction of the sheets; a first transport roller
positioned in the transport path on a downstream side of the branch
position and to be able to transport a sheet in either direction of
the first tray or the branch path opposite to the first tray; a
second transport roller positioned in the branch path to be able to
transport a sheet in either direction of the second tray or the
transport path opposite to the second tray; and a control section
recognizing a transport length of the sheet transported by the
first transport roller and the second transport roller, and
controlling the first transport roller and the second transport
roller, wherein the control section performs wait transport for
switchback-transporting a sheet to cause the sheet to once wait in
the branch path after the sheet transported in the transport path
passes through the branch position, and transporting the sheet to
the first tray together with a subsequent sheet, and second tray
transport for switchback-transporting a sheet to transport to the
second tray via the branch path after the sheet transported in the
transport path passes through the branch position, and a transport
velocity of the switchback-transporting is made lower when a length
of the sheet undergoing the switchback-transporting is longer than
a predetermined reference than when the length of the sheet is
shorter than the predetermined reference.
7. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
first transport roller includes a pair of rollers supported to be
able to shift between a press-contact position nipping the sheet to
transport and a separate position releasing a nip of the sheet, and
in case a sheet for the switch-back transporting is longer than a
predetermined length, after a sheet switchback-transported to the
second roller is nipped by the second transport roller, the control
section shifts the first transport roller to the separate position
to enable a next sheet to be received.
8. An image formation apparatus comprising: an image formation
section adapted to form an image on a sheet sequentially; and a
sheet processing apparatus adapted to perform predetermined
processing on the sheet from the image formation section, wherein
the sheet processing apparatus is provided with a configuration as
described in claim 1.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a divisional patent application of Ser. No.
15/245,419 filed on Aug. 24, 2016, which claims priorities of
Japanese Patent Applications No. 2015-168393 filed on Aug. 28,
2015, No. 2015-168394 filed on Aug. 28, 2015, No. 2015-168395 filed
on Aug. 28, 2015 and No. 2015-168396 filed on Aug. 28, 2015, the
disclosure of which are incorporated herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a processing apparatus for
processing sheets carried out of an image formation apparatus such
as a copier and printer, and particularly, to improvements in a
sheet processing apparatus for enabling stable sheet transport to
be performed in transporting sheets to different trays.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0003] Generally, a processing apparatus is widely known which
collates sheets carried out of an image formation apparatus to
bind. Further, an apparatus is also known which receives sheets in
trays indifferent positions to perform end-face stitching for
binding an end face of the sheet and saddle stitching processing
for binding substantially the center in the sheet transport
direction. Further, in the processing, it is also shown to cause a
preceding sheet to wait and stay inside the apparatus without
halting transport of a subsequent sheet as possible, so as to
transport to the tray with the subsequent sheet.
[0004] For example, Japanese Patent Gazette No. 5248785 shows a
straight path for guiding a sheet fed from an image formation
apparatus to a first tray and a branch path branched off from the
path to guide a sheet to a second tray. In the first tray is
arranged an end-face stitching unit for performing binding on end
faces of sheets, and in the second tray is arranged a saddle
stitching unit for binding the middle portion in the transport
direction of sheets.
[0005] Then, in the Japanese Patent Gazette No. 5248785, it is
shown to perform the so-called wait transport where a subsequent
sheet is once switchback-transported to the branch path to wait in
order to ensure time for binding processing and the like in the
first tray, and is transported with the following sheet. Further,
to receive a sheet in the second tray, the sheet is once
transported to the first tray side, is then switchback-transported
to the branch path, and is transported via the branch path. Thus,
by using the branch path branched off from the transport path as
both the wait path and the carry-in path to the second tray, the
paths are made compact, and it is possible to perform processing
without halting a subsequent sheet.
[0006] As described above, the first tray and second tray are
disposed in different positions to apply end-face stitching and
saddle stitching to received sheets respectively, and generally,
end-face stitching is to bind faces in the end portion of sheets,
is thereby used heavily in sheets with relatively short lengths
e.g. sheets of B5-size, A4-size and letter size, and is further
required to perform processing at high velocity. On the other hand,
saddle stitching for binding the middle portion in the transport
direction of sheets is used heavily in sheets with relatively long
lengths e.g. sheets of B4-size, legal size and A3-size. Thus, since
the sheets are long, the time required for the processing is
allowed to be relatively long, and has a moderate tendency.
[0007] Therefore, in the apparatus shown in the above-mentioned
Japanese Patent Gazette No. 5248785, in the case of switching back
sheets, which are to store in the first tray and perform end-face
stitching, to once wait in the branch path, short sheets are not so
long in the distance of switchback. Therefore, even when the sheets
are transported at high velocity, bending and fluctuations of
sheets do not occur so much in switchback transport, and
deterioration of alignment characteristics, sheet jams and the like
due thereto do not occur so much either. On the other hand, when
the processing is performed at the same velocity in switching back
sheets to store in the second tray and perform saddle stitching,
since a relatively long distance undergoes switchback, bending and
fluttering of sheets occurs, and there is a case where alignment
characteristics deteriorate and/or a sheet jam occurs in
collecting.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
apparatus for reducing bending and fluttering of a sheet also in
transporting a relatively long sheet in switchback-transporting to
carry in a different tray, and further preventing alignment
characteristics from deteriorating with few occurrences of the
sheet jam.
[0009] In order to attain the object, according to the disclosure
of the present invention, a sheet processing apparatus is provided
with a transport path for receiving a sheet to transport the sheet
to a first tray, a branch path branched off from the transport path
to transport a sheet to a second tray, a first transport roller
positioned in the transport path on the downstream side of a branch
position of the transport path and the branch path to be able to
transport a sheet in a direction of one of both the first tray and
the branch path, a second transport roller positioned on the branch
path to be able to transport a sheet in a direction of one of both
the second tray and the transport path, and a control section for
recognizing a transport length of the sheet transported by the
first transport roller and the second transport roller, and
controlling the first transport roller and the second transport
roller, where the control section performs wait transport or first
transport for switchback-transporting a sheet to cause the sheet to
once wait in the branch path after the sheet transported in the
transport path passes through the branch position, and transporting
the sheet to the first tray together with a subsequent sheet, and
second tray transport or second transport for
switchback-transporting a sheet to transport to the second tray via
the branch path after the sheet transported in the transport path
passes through the branch position, and changes a transport
velocity of the switchback-transporting corresponding to the
transport length of the sheet.
[0010] According to the above-mentioned disclosure, it is possible
to provide a sheet processing apparatus for reducing bending and
fluttering of a sheet also in transporting a relatively long sheet
in switchback-transporting to carry in a different tray, and
further preventing alignment characteristics from deteriorating
with few occurrences of the sheet jam, and an image formation
apparatus provided with the sheet processing apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an explanatory view illustrating an entire
configuration obtained by combining an image formation apparatus
and sheet processing apparatus according to the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an entire explanatory view of the sheet processing
apparatus provided with an end-face stitching unit and saddle
stitching unit according to the invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is an enlarged side explanatory view on the periphery
of an end-face stitching section;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a drive explanatory view of transport rollers,
exit rollers and branch rollers;
[0015] FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of an up-and-down mechanism
and up-and-down halt positions of a first sheet discharge tray;
[0016] FIGS. 6A and 6B contain explanatory views of wait transport
operation of a sheet to store in a first processing tray, where
FIG. 6A is an explanatory view for starting switchback in a
transport path, and FIG. 6B is a state explanatory view for
successively transporting from the transport path to a branch
path;
[0017] FIGS. 7A and 7B contain explanatory views of wait transport
operation continued from FIGS. 6A and 6B, where FIG. 7A is an
explanatory view where a preceding sheet waits in the branch path,
and a next sheet is carried in, and FIG. 7B is another explanatory
view for successively starting transport of the next sheet and the
waiting preceding sheet together;
[0018] FIGS. 8A and 8B contain explanatory views of wait transport
operation continued from FIGS. 7A and 7B, where FIG. 8A is an
explanatory view of a state in which the preceding sheet and next
sheet are stored in the first processing tray together, and FIG. 8B
is an state explanatory view for successively carrying a third
sheet in;
[0019] FIGS. 9A and 9B contain explanatory views of second tray
transport operation to store a sheet in a stacker (second
processing tray) for saddle stitching processing, where FIG. 9A is
an explanatory view for starting switchback in the transport path,
and FIG. 9B is a state explanatory view for successively
switchback-transporting from the transport path to the branch path
at low velocity;
[0020] FIGS. 10A and 10B contain explanatory views of second tray
transport operation continued from FIGS. 9A and 9B, where FIG. 10A
is an explanatory view for transporting a preceding sheet to the
branch path and receiving a next sheet to perform passing
transport, and FIG. 10B is another explanatory view for storing the
preceding sheet in the stacker (second processing tray) and
transporting the next sheet;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a flow explanatory diagram for changing
switchback velocity corresponding to end-face stitching or saddle
stitching;
[0022] FIG. 12 is Modification (Embodiment 2) of FIG. 11, and is a
flow explanatory diagram for checking a sheet size in each of
end-face stitching and saddle stitching to change velocity;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a control configuration in the
entire configuration of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIGS. 14A and 14B contain explanatory views of Embodiment 3
according to second tray transport operation to store a sheet in
the stacker (second processing tray) for saddle stitching and a
halt position of the first sheet discharge tray, where FIG. 14A is
a state explanatory view where switchback is started in the
transport path and prior thereto, the first sheet discharge tray is
moved up to the first processing tray exit, and FIG. 14B is another
state explanatory view where switchback transport is successively
performed from the transport path to the branch path at low
velocity and the first sheet discharge tray is positioned in an
ascent position;
[0025] FIGS. 15A and 15B contain second tray transport operation
explanatory views continued from FIGS. 14A and 14B, where FIG. 15A
is a state explanatory view for transporting a preceding sheet to
the branch path and receiving a next sheet to perform passing
transport with the first sheet discharge tray positioned in the
ascent position, and FIG. 15B is another state explanatory view for
storing the preceding sheet in the stacker (second processing tray)
and transporting the next sheet with the first sheet discharge tray
positioned in the ascent position;
[0026] FIGS. 16A and 16B contain explanatory views of Modification
of the halt position of the first sheet discharge tray in wait
transport of a sheet to store in the first processing tray shown in
FIGS. 6A and 6B, where FIG. 16A is a state explanatory view where
switchback is started in the transport path and prior thereto, the
first sheet discharge tray shifts to a descent position, and FIG.
16B is another state explanatory view where the sheet is
successively transported from the transport path to the branch path
and the first sheet discharge tray is positioned in the descent
position;
[0027] FIG. 17 is an entire explanatory view of a sheet processing
apparatus in Embodiment 4 provided with an end-face stitching unit,
saddle stitching unit and auxiliary guide;
[0028] FIG. 18 is an enlarged side explanatory view on the
periphery of an end-face stitching section to which is attached the
auxiliary guide in FIG. 17;
[0029] FIGS. 19A and 19B contain explanatory views of the auxiliary
guide of a sheet that extends and retracts on the first sheet
discharge tray, where FIG. 19A is an auxiliary guide drive
explanatory view, and FIG. 19B is a partial enlarged perspective
view of the auxiliary guide;
[0030] FIGS. 20A and 20B contain explanatory views according to
Embodiment 4 of second tray transport to store a sheet in the
stacker (second tray) for saddle stitching processing and auxiliary
guide position, where FIG. 20A is an explanatory view for starting
switchback in the transport path, and FIG. 20B is a state
explanatory view for successively switchback-transporting from the
transport path to the branch path at low velocity;
[0031] FIGS. 21A and 21B contain second tray transport operation
explanatory views continued from FIGS. 20A and 20B, where FIG. 21A
is an explanatory view for transporting a preceding sheet to the
branch path and receiving a next sheet to perform passing
transport, and FIG. 21B is another explanatory view for storing the
preceding sheet in the stacker (second processing tray) and
transporting the next sheet;
[0032] FIGS. 22A and 22B contain explanatory views of Modification
of wait transport operation of a sheet to store in the first
processing tray shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B and auxiliary guide
position, where FIG. 22A is an explanatory view for starting
switchback in the transport path, and FIG. 22B is a state
explanatory view for successively transporting from the transport
path to the branch path;
[0033] FIGS. 23A and 23B contain explanatory views of Modification
of second tray transport to store a sheet in the stacker (second
tray) for saddle stitching processing and auxiliary guide position
shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B and first sheet discharge tray (sheet
discharge tray) position added thereto, where FIG. 23A is an
explanatory view for starting switchback in the transport path, and
FIG. 23B is a state explanatory view for successively transporting
from the transport path to the branch path; and
[0034] FIG. 24 is an explanatory view of a control configuration of
Embodiment 4 in the entire configuration of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0035] The present invention will specifically be described below
based on preferred Embodiments of the invention shown in drawings.
FIG. 1 is an entire configuration view illustrating an image
formation system provided with an image formation apparatus A and
sheet processing apparatus B according to the invention, and FIG. 2
is an explanatory view of a detailed configuration of the sheet
processing apparatus B.
[0036] In addition, in the accompanying drawings, similar
components through the entire Description are represented by adding
the same reference numerals.
[Image Formation System]
[0037] The image formation system shown in FIG. 1 is comprised of
the image formation apparatus A and sheet processing apparatus B.
Then, a carry-in entrance 30 of the sheet processing apparatus B is
coupled to a main-body discharge outlet 3 of the image formation
apparatus A, and it is configured that sheets with images formed in
the image formation apparatus A are staple-bound in the sheet
processing apparatus B and are stored in a first sheet discharge
tray 24 or second sheet discharge tray 26. Further, above the sheet
discharge tray 24 is arranged an escape tray 22 to directly store
sheets without performing binding processing.
[Image Formation Apparatus A]
[0038] The image formation apparatus A will be described according
to FIG. 1. The image formation apparatus A is configured to feed a
sheet from a paper feed section 1 to an image formation section 2,
print on the sheet in the image formation section 2, and then,
discharge from the main-body discharge outlet 3. The paper feed
section 1 stores sheets of a plurality of sizes in paper feed
cassettes 1a, 1b, and separates designated sheets on a
sheet-by-sheet basis to feed to the image formation section 2.
[0039] For example, in the image formation section 2 are disposed
an electrostatic drum 4, and a printing head (laser light-emitting
device) 5, development device 6, transfer charger 7 and fuser 8
disposed around the drum. The image formation section 2 forms an
electrostatic latent image on the electrostatic drum 4 with the
laser light-emitting device 5, adds toner to the image with the
development device 6, transfers the image onto a sheet with the
transfer charger 7, and fuses with the fuser 8 to form an image.
The sheet with thus image formed is sequentially carried out from
the main-body discharge outlet 3. "9" shown in the figure denotes a
circulation path which is a path for two-side printing for
reversing the side of the sheet with printing made on the frontside
from the fuser 8 via a switchback path 10, and then feeding to the
image formation section 2 again to print on the backside of the
sheet. The sheet thus subjected to two-side printing is reversed in
the switchback path 10, and then, is carried out from the main-body
discharge outlet 3.
[0040] "11" shown in the figure denotes an image reading apparatus,
and the apparatus scans an original document sheet set on platen 12
with a scan unit 13 to electrically read with a photoelectric
converter not shown. For example, the image data is subjected to
digital processing in an image processing section, and then, is
transferred to a data storage section 14, and an image signal is
sent to the laser light-emitting device 5. Further, "15" shown in
the figure denotes an original document feeding apparatus, and the
apparatus feeds original document sheets stored in an original
document stacker 16 to the platen 12.
[0041] The image formation apparatus A with the above-mentioned
configuration is provided with an image formation control section
200 shown in FIG. 13, and from a control panel 18 via an input
section 203, is set for image formation conditions e.g. sheet size
designation, color/monochrome printing designation, the number of
print copies designation, one-side/two-side printing designation
and enlarged/reduced printing designation as printing conditions.
Further, the image formation apparatus A stores the image data read
with the scan unit 13 or image data transferred from an external
network in a data storage section 17. It is configured that the
image data is transferred from the data storage section 17 to a
buffer memory 19, and that the buffer memory 19 sequentially
transfers a data signal to the laser light-emitting device 5.
[0042] Concurrently with the above-mentioned image formation
conditions such as one-side/two-side printing, enlarged/reduced
printing and monochrome/color printing, a sheet processing
condition is also input and designated from the control panel 18.
As the sheet processing condition, for example, a "print-out mode",
"end-face stitching mode", "saddle stitching mode" or the like is
set. In addition, these processing conditions will be described
later.
[Sheet Processing Apparatus B]
[0043] In the sheet processing apparatus B, as shown in FIGS. 1 and
2, in an apparatus frame 20 are disposed the carry-in entrance 30
of a sheet provided on one side, and the escape tray 22 provided on
the outer side opposite to the entrance to collect a single sheet
or relatively thick sheet. Below the escape tray 22, the first
sheet discharge tray 24 is positioned which is able to move up and
down to collect sheets subjected to end-face stitching processing
and a relatively large amount of sheets. Further, below the first
sheet discharge tray 24 is provided the second sheet discharge tray
26 that collects sheets subjected to saddle stitching or folding
processing. In addition, in the invention, the end face indicates a
face around an end portion of a sheet i.e. frontside and backside
of a sheet edge portion.
[Transport Path of a Sheet]
[0044] From the carry-in entrance 30 of the sheet processing
apparatus B, a transport path 42 is disposed which extends
substantially linearly from a carry-in path 32 to a first
processing tray exit 50. The carry-in path 32 is provided with a
punch unit 31 to perform punch processing in the end face of a
sheet and as necessary, the middle portion in the transport
direction. Below the punch unit 31 across the carry-in path 32, a
punch dust box 31b for collecting punch dust generated in the punch
processing is provided in the apparatus frame 20 to be
attachable/detachable.
[0045] On the downstream side of the punch unit 31, a carry-in
roller 34 for transporting a sheet is disposed to transport the
sheet at a high velocity. In the transport path 42 on the
downstream side of the carry-in roller 34 are provided
forward/backward rotation-capable transport rollers 44 that guide a
sheet to a first processing tray 54 that is a first tray and the
first sheet discharge tray 24 on the downstream side thereof. The
rear of the transport roller 44 is a transport path exit 46 of the
sheet.
[0046] On the downstream side of the transport path exit 46 are
provided forward/backward rotation-capable exit rollers 48. The
exit rollers 48 switches a sheet back to transport the sheet to the
first processing tray 54, discharges to the first sheet discharge
tray 24 straight, or discharges a bunch of sheets which are
collected on the first processing tray 54 and subjected to end-face
stitching processing to the first sheet discharge tray 24.
[Escape Path, Branch Path]
[0047] Further, the transport path 42 is branched, in a branch
position 36, to an escape path 38 for guiding a sheet to the escape
tray 22, and a branch path 70 for guiding a relatively long sheet
to a stacker 84 (that is also a second processing tray) which is
the second tray to perform saddle stitching processing and folding
processing. In the branch position 36 is provided a switch gate 37
of the path to select transporting the sheet to the transport path
42 directly, transporting to the escape path 38, or switching back
on the transport path 42 to guide to the branch path 70.
[0048] In addition, the escape path 38 is provided with escape
rollers 39 that transport a sheet, and escape exit roller 40 that
discharges the sheet to the escape tray 22.
[End-Face Stitching Section]
[0049] In addition, the first processing tray 54 is provided below
the transport path exit 46 of the transport path 42, and on the
lower end side thereof, an end-face stitching section 60 is
positioned to bind end faces of sheets temporarily collected on the
first processing tray 54. The end-face stitching section 60 will be
described later with reference to FIG. 3.
[Saddle Stitching Section]
[0050] On the other hand, a relatively long sheet is once
transported in the transport path 42 in the direction of the first
processing tray 54, is transported to the downstream side of the
switch gate 37, is then switchback-transported at this time to
transport to the branch path 70, and is collected in the stacker 84
(second tray) from a branch exit 76. In the stacker 84 is disposed
a saddle stitching section 80 that binds the middle portion of
collected sheets. As shown in FIG. 2, the branch exit 76 is
provided with a change flapper 78 that biases a sheet to the left
side as viewed in the figure whenever the sheet is carried in the
stacker 84 from the branch exit roller 74 to prevent a collision of
a preceding sheet rear end and a next sheet front end from
occurring.
[Stacker (Second Processing Tray/Second Tray)]
[0051] In the stacker 84 is positioned a stopper 85 for defining a
carry-in position of a sheet. The stopper 85 shifts in the arrow
direction shown in the figure, by driving a shift belt 88 provided
in a tensioned state between an upper pulley 86 and a lower pulley
87 on the side of the stacker 84 by a stopper shift motor 85M. A
position of the stopper 85 is halted in each of a position for
enabling a rear end of a sheet to be changed by the change flapper
78 when the sheet is carried in the stacker 84, a position for
performing saddle stitching substantially on the center in the
transport direction of sheets with the saddle stitching unit 82,
and a position for pushing the saddle-stitched position to a
folding roller 92 pair with a reciprocating folding blade 94 to
fold a bunch of sheets in two.
[0052] Further, in the upper and lower portions of the folding
rollers 92 is provided a saddle stitching alignment plate 81 that
presses opposite side edges of a sheet from the sheet width
direction to perform alignment operation whenever the sheet is
carried in the stacker 84.
[Saddle Stitching Unit]
[0053] In the saddle stitching section 80, for example, a staple is
driven in a bunch of sheets by a driver inside the saddle stitching
unit 82, and an anvil 83 is provided in a position opposite thereto
to bend leg portions of the staple. The saddle stitching unit 82 is
already known widely, and the description herein is omitted. In
addition, as a binding means, not only the means for piercing a
bunch of sheets with a staple to bind, a mechanism may be adopted
where an adhesive is applied to the center in the transport
direction of a sheet and sheets are bound to be a bunch.
[Second Sheet Discharge Tray]
[0054] The bunch of sheets bound by the saddle stitching unit 82 is
folded in two by the folding rollers 92 and folding blade 94 for
pushing the bunch of sheets into the rollers, and is discharged to
the second sheet discharge tray 26 by the folding rollers 92 and
bunch discharge roller 96 positioned on the downstream side of the
roller 92. To the second sheet discharge tray 26 are attached a
swingable press roller 102 with the rotatable roller provided in
the front end to drop the folded bunch of sheets, which is
subjected to the folding processing and discharged with the rear
side as the front end side, into the second sheet discharge tray
26, and a press lever 104 that presses from above not to expand
collected folded bunches of sheets. The press roller 102 and press
lever 104 reduce decrease in collection characteristics due to the
fact that the folded bunch of sheets is open.
[Branch Position and End-Face Stitching Section]
[0055] Herein, with respect to the branch position 36 and end-face
stitching section 60, further descriptions will be added with
reference to FIG. 3. As described already, FIG. 3 illustrates the
carry-in path 32 from the carry-in entrance 30 with the carry-in
rollers 34 disposed, the transport path 42 linearly extending from
the path 32 in the direction of the first processing tray 54, the
escape path 38 extending upward as viewed in the figure from the
transport path 42, and the branch path 70 curved downward to guide
the sheet to the stacker 84. In the branch position 36 is disposed
the change flapper 37 for selectively positioning and guiding the
sheet in the carry-in path 32 to the escape path 38 or transport
path 42, or the sheet switchback-transported in the transport 42 to
the branch path 70.
[0056] In this Embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the
escape path 38 is blocked in the solid-line position to guide the
sheet from the carry-in path 32 to the transport path 42, and in
the dashed-line position, it is indicated that the sheet
transported from the carry-in path 32 is guided to the escape path
38, and that the sheet switchback-transported from the transport
path 42 is guided to the branch path 70.
[0057] In the above-mentioned transport path 42, the transport
rollers 44 which rotate forward/backward while mutually contacting
and separating are disposed immediately before the transport path
exit 46 that is the last end. In other words, the transport rollers
44 are capable of transporting the sheet to the first processing
tray 54 side by one-direction rotation in a press-contact state,
and of switchback-transporting in the opposite direction by the
other rotation.
[In Regard to Switchback Transport]
[0058] The switchback transport is performed by rotating the
transport rollers 44 in the other direction, after a sheet sensor
42S disposed immediately after the switch gate 37 of the transport
path 42 detects passage of the sheet rear end. In the other
rotation, the switch gate 37 is shifted to the position
(dashed-line position in FIG. 3) for blocking the carry-in path 32,
the sheet is thereby transported to the branch path 70, and when
the sheet rear end that is continuously transported by the branch
rollers 72 arrives at a predetermined position, the branch rollers
72 are halted to make the sheet a wait state in the branch path
70.
[0059] In addition, in the first processing tray exit 50 (exit of
the first processing tray 54) on the downstream side of the
transport roller 44, the exit rollers 48 are disposed which rotate
forward/backward, while mutually contacting and separating. The
exit rollers 48 are comprised of an exit upper roller 48a and an
exit lower roller 48b, and by one-direction rotation in a mutually
press-contact state, cooperate with the transport rollers 44 to
transport the sheet to the first sheet discharge tray 24. Further,
the exit rollers 48 are also used in cooperating with a shift of a
reference surface 57 described later to discharge sheets collected
in the first processing tray 54 as a bunch to the first sheet
discharge tray 24.
[Collection in the First Processing Tray 54]
[0060] Herein, collection of sheets in the first processing tray 54
will be described. For collection in the first processing tray 54,
a sheet released from the transport rollers 44 is transported to
the right side in FIG. 3 on an inclined surface of the first
processing tray 54 by the other rotation of the exit rollers 48
positioned on the downstream side. The transported sheet is carried
by rotating a take-in roller 56 around which a belt 146 with
protrusions is wound in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in
the figure. By this carry, the front end in the transport direction
of the sheet comes into contact with the reference surface 57 that
is a binding reference of the other surface and halts. At this
point, the take-in roller 56 slides on the sheet to prevent the
sheet from buckling after the sheet front end comes into contact
with the reference surface. In other words, the exit rollers 48
have the function of switchback-transporting the sheet discharged
from the transport rollers 44 to feed to the reference surface 57
of the first processing tray 54.
[End-Face Stitching Unit Shift and Binding Processing]
[0061] The sheet is fed to the reference surface 57 by the rotation
of the exit rollers 48 and take-in roller whenever the sheet is
released from the transport rollers 44 to stack on the first
processing tray 54. Further, in accordance with the stacking
operation, alignment plates 58 are brought into contact from
opposite sides in the sheet width direction to align the sheet in
the center in the width direction of the first processing tray 54.
Such stacking and alignment is repeated up to the predetermined
number of sheets as a bunch. When the predetermined number of
sheets is collected, at this point, the end-face stitching unit 62
that shifts in the sheet width direction on the end face of the
sheets on a shift bench 63 is shifted to a desired binding
position. This shift is made by that a shift pin 62b of the
end-face stitching unit 62 is fitted into a groove rail shown in
the figure provided in the sheet width direction on the shift bench
63 and is guided.
[0062] The binding processing of the end-face stitching unit 62 is
already publicly known, and the description is omitted. When the
end-face stitching unit 62 is halted in a designated binding
position, an end-face stitching motor 62M is driven to rotate and
shift a driver not shown to drive a staple in a bunch of sheets,
the driven staple is bent by an anvil, and the binding processing
is performed. The binding processing is performed in the end face
of the corner or a plurality of positions in the end face in the
width direction of sheets.
[Discharge of Sheets Subjected to End-Face Stitching]
[0063] In a bunch of sheets subjected to the binding processing in
the end-face stitching unit 62, by a shift of a reference surface
shift belt 64 looped between a right pulley 65 and a left pulley 66
under the first processing tray 54 in a counterclockwise direction
as viewed in the figure, the reference surface 57 coupled to the
reference surface shift belt 64 shifts in the left direction as
viewed in the figure, and thereby pushes the binding end face side
of the bunch of sheets toward the first sheet discharge tray 24.
Together with the push, the exit rollers 48 disposed in the exit of
the first processing tray 54 press the bound bunch of sheets from
frontside and backside, and discharge the bound bunch of sheets to
the first sheet discharge tray 24 by rotation in a clockwise
direction.
[Up-and-Down of the First Sheet Discharge Tray]
[0064] The first sheet discharge tray 24 to collect a bunch of
sheets will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the first sheet
discharge tray 24 is disposed with the inclined angle being
substantially the same as that of the first processing tray 54, and
collects the bound bunch of sheets discharged from the first
processing tray 54 and also each sheet discharged from the
transport path 42 by the transport rollers 44 and exit rollers
48.
[0065] On the bottom side of the first sheet discharge tray 24 is
provided an up-and-down motor 24M that moves the first sheet
discharge tray 24 up and down, and the drive is conveyed to an
up-and-down pinion 109. The up-and-down pinion 109 engages in an
up-and-down rack 107 provided vertically on the opposite sides of a
standing surface 28 of the apparatus frame 20 fixedly. Further,
although not shown in the figure particularly, an up-and-down rail
provided on the standing surface 28 of the first sheet discharge
tray 24 is to guide vertically.
[0066] The position of the first sheet discharge tray 24 or the
position of sheets collected on the first sheet discharge tray 24
is detected with a paper surface sensor 24S provided in the
standing surface 28. Then, when the paper surface sensor 24S
detects, the up-and-down motor 24M is driven, and the up-and-down
pinion 109 rotates to move down. The state in FIG. 3 is a state in
which the paper surface sensor 24S detects the upper surface of the
first sheet discharge tray 24, and the tray slightly moves down
from the position to receive a bunch of sheets. Accordingly, the
upper surface of the exit position from the first processing tray
54 and the upper surface of the first sheet discharge tray 24 are
positioned with a height difference held.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 4, a configuration of rotation drive and
separate/contact of the transport rollers 44 and exit rollers 48
will be described next.
[Rotation Drive of the Transport Upper Roller]
[0068] First, drive of the transport rollers 44 comprised of the
transport upper roller 44a and transport lower roller 44b is
performed by a transport roller motor 44M. The transport roller
motor 44M is comprised of a hybrid type stepping motor, and in the
motor is disposed a speed detection sensor 44S that detects a
rotation speed of the motor shaft. Drive of the transport roller
motor 44M is transferred to an arm gear 126 via transmission gears
120, 122 and transmission belt 124. The drive from the arm gear 126
is transferred to an upper roller shaft 44uj of the transport upper
roller 44a supported by a transport roller support arm 136 with a
transmission belt 128.
[Separate/Contact of the Transport Upper Roller]
[0069] Further, the transport upper roller 44a is attached to
rotate on the shaft of the arm gear 126 so as to separate from and
contact the fixed transport lower roller 44b. The separate/contact
is performed by a transport roller shift arm 130 having a rear
sector-shaped gear attached to the shaft of the arm gear 126 where
a spring 134 to bias the transport upper roller 44a is attached to
a shift arm point on the front side. In other words, by driving to
rotate forward and backward the transport roller shift arm motor
130M engaging in the above-mentioned rear sector-shaped gear, the
roller shifts in a release direction of the arrow O by rotation in
one direction, and shifts in a press-contact direction of the arrow
C for coming into press-contact with the transport lower roller 44b
by rotation in the other direction. In addition, the transport
roller shift arm motor 130M is also comprised of a stepping motor,
and a transport roller shift arm sensor 130S detects a position of
the transport roller shift arm 130.
[Rotation Drive of the Transport Lower Roller, Etc.]
[0070] Rotation drive of the transport lower roller 44b is
performed by transferring drive of the transport roller motor 44M
to a receive gear 142 provided individually in a transport lower
roller shaft 44sj via the transmission gear 120 and transmission
belt 138.
[0071] Further, the drive from the receive gear 142 rotates a gear
144 with a one-way clutch, the belt 146 with protrusions acting
also as the transmission belt, and the take-in roller 56. The drive
is transferred to the take-in roller 56 via the gear 144 with a
one-way clutch, and therefore, even when the receive gear 142
rotates forward and backward as described previously, the roller 56
rotates only in the solid-line arrow direction in FIG. 4, and
shifts only in the direction of the reference surface 57 of the
first processing tray 54.
[0072] Furthermore, the drive of the transport roller motor 44M is
also transferred to a branch lower roller shaft 72sj of a branch
lower roller 72b of the branch rollers 72 that transport the sheet
in the branch path 70 via the transmission gear 120 and
transmission belt 148.
[Velocity Setting of the Transport Roller Motor]
[0073] By the configuration as described above, according to
forward/backward rotation of the transport roller motor 44M, the
transport rollers 44 and branch rollers 72 rotate in one direction
of the solid-line arrow direction shown in the figure and in the
other direction (switchback direction) of the dashed-line arrow
direction, and the take-in roller rotates in the reference surface
57 direction of the solid-line arrow direction. Further, the
transport roller motor 44M is capable of being set arbitrarily to
be able to transport a sheet at a velocity of about 1100 mm/s in
transporting a sheet to the first processing tray 54 side, and at
the velocity of about 1100 mm/s or a velocity of about 600 mm/s
lower than the velocity in switchback-transporting to the branch
path 70 side. The velocity is a rotation set velocity from startup,
the average velocity is lower than the set value, and in any case,
the transport velocity is made variable corresponding to the
transport direction and sheet length of the sheet, transport mode
of wait transport or second tray transport and the like. The
velocity setting will be described later.
[Rotation Drive of the Exit Upper Roller]
[0074] Drive of the exit rollers 48 comprised of the exit upper
roller 48a and exit lower roller 48b is performed by an exit roller
motor 48M. The exit roller motor 48M is also comprised of a hybrid
type stepping motor, and a speed detection sensor 48S that detects
a rotation speed of the motor shaft is also disposed similarly.
Drive of the exit roller motor 48M is transferred to an exit arm
gear 156 via transmission gears 150, 152 and transmission belt 154.
The drive from the exit arm gear 156 is transferred to an exit
upper roller shaft of the exit upper roller 48a supported by an
exit roller support arm 166 with a transmission belt 158.
[Separate/Contact of the Exit Upper Roller, Etc.]
[0075] The exit upper roller 48a is attached to rotate on the shaft
of the exit arm gear 156 so as to separate from and contact the
fixed exit lower roller 48b. The separate/contact is performed by
an exit roller shift arm 160 having a rear sector-shaped gear
attached to the shaft of the exit arm gear 156 where a spring 164
to bias the exit upper roller 48a is attached to a shift arm point
on the front side. By driving to rotate forward and backward an
exit roller shift arm motor 160M engaging in the above-mentioned
rear sector-shaped gear, the roller shifts in a release direction
of the arrow O by rotation in one direction, and shifts in a
press-contact direction of the arrow C for coming into
press-contact with the exit lower roller 48b by rotation in the
other direction. In addition, the exit roller shift arm motor 160M
is also comprised of a stepping motor, and an exit roller shift arm
sensor 160S detects a position of the exit roller shift arm
160.
[0076] Further, rotation drive of the exit lower roller 48b is
performed by transferring drive of the exit roller motor 48M to a
receive gear 169 provided individually in an exit lower roller
shaft 48sj via a transmission gear 150 and transmission belt
168.
[Velocity Setting of the Exit Roller Motor]
[0077] By the above-mentioned configuration, according to
forward/backward rotation of the exit roller motor 48M, the exit
rollers 48 rotate in one direction of the solid-line arrow
direction shown in the figure and in the other direction of the
dashed-line arrow direction (in the switchback direction to the
reference surface 57 on the first processing tray 54 after the
sheet is released from the transport rollers 44). Further, the exit
roller motor 48M is capable of being set so as to transport a sheet
at a velocity of about 1100 mm/s in the case of taking-transporting
from the transport rollers 44, at a velocity of about 600 mm/s in
the case of switchback transport in the taking reference surface
direction, and at a velocity of about 300 mm/s in the case of
discharging a bunch of sheets on the first processing tray 54 to
the first sheet discharge tray 24 in cooperation with a shift of
the reference surface 57. In other words, the exit roller motor 48M
is allowed to set the velocity in the range of about 1100 mm/s to
about 300 mm/s.
[0078] In addition, in this Embodiment, in transporting the sheet
with the transport rollers 44 such as the time of switchback
transport in the case of performing wait transport, since the drive
motors are separate and conjunction is difficult, the exit upper
roller 48a is positioned in a separate position where the roller is
released from the exit lower roller 48b.
[Up-and-Down of the First Sheet Discharge Tray]
[0079] The mechanism of up-and-down of the first sheet discharge
tray 24 has already been described in FIG. 3, and setting of the
up-and-down position will be described with reference to FIG. 5.
The setting of the up-and-down position is performed by detecting
the paper surface or upper surface of the first sheet discharge
tray 24 by the paper surface sensor 24S, and the paper surface
sensor 24S detects a sensor flag 24f with one end axially supported
rotatably. Further, on the first sheet discharge tray 24 placement
surface is provided an empty sensor 25 for detecting whether or not
a sheet is placed. Accordingly, when the empty sensor 25 is ON, the
paper surface sensor 24S detects the sheet upper surface. When the
sensor 25 is OFF, the sensor 24S detects a height of the placement
surface without the sheet being placed.
[Up-and-Down Position Setting of the First Sheet Discharge
Tray]
[0080] In addition, when a bunch of sheets is discharged from the
first processing tray 54, the up-and-down position of the first
sheet discharge tray 24 is set so that the placement surface or the
paper surface is positioned in 24Sm position with a distance L1+L2
shown in FIG. 5. Further, when sheets are discharged on a
sheet-by-sheet basis, the position is moved up and set so that the
placement surface or the paper surface is positioned in 24Sh
position with a distance L1 so as to shorten a drop range of the
sheet. Furthermore, in the case where the sheet undergoing
switchback transport by the transport rollers 44 is short or in the
case of switchback transport to cause the sheet to wait in the
branch path 70 for end-face stitching, the position is moved down
and set at 24SL position with a distance L1+L2+L3 so that the front
end of the sheet undergoing switchback does not contact the sheet
placed on the first sheet discharge tray 24 and placement
bench.
[0081] Moreover, in the case where the sheet undergoing switchback
transport by the transport rollers 44 is long or in the case of
switchback transport to transport to the branch path for saddle
stitching, in order to guide so as to suppress bending and
fluttering of the sheet front end undergoing switchback transport,
upward setting is also performed so that the placement surface or
the paper surface is positioned in 24Sh position with the distance
L1 to shorten the height difference range. This respect will be
described later as Embodiment 3.
[0082] Herein, the wait transport will be described where the sheet
undergoes switchback transport for end-face stitching and waits in
the branch path 70 as described above. In the case of performing
the binding processing with the end-face stitching unit 62 in the
first processing tray 54, there is a need to prevent a next sheet
from being carried in before end-face stitching processing of a
preceding bunch of sheets is not completed, because the velocity at
which the sheet with the image formed in the image formation
apparatus A is carried in is fast, and the sheet interval is short.
Therefore, a first sheet or sheets up to a second sheet transported
to the transport path 42 via the carry-in path 32 are
switchback-transported once on the transport path 42, and the
switchback-transported sheets are made to stay and wait in the
branch path 70. Then, the interval time between bunches of sheets
is secured by feeding out the sheet (s) waiting in the branch path
70 to overlap the next second or third sheet to feed (which is
disclosed in FIGS. 10A and 10B of the Patent Gazette No. 5248785 as
Cited Document 1).
[0083] In addition, in the present invention, it is defined as
"wait transport" that a sheet is switchback-transported from the
transport path 42 to the branch path 70, and that one or more
sheets are made to stay and wait in the branch path 70, and are fed
and transported together with the next sheet of the waiting sheet.
Sheets for end-face stitching to perform the wait transport are
usually sheets with relatively short lengths in the transport
direction e.g. sheets of each size of A4, B5 and letter.
Accordingly, switchback transport for the wait transport of these
sheets is performed without significantly protruding to the
downstream side of the first processing tray 54, and the sheet is
hardly bent at the time of this transport. Even when the sheet is
bent slightly, the distance to the first processing tray 54 is
relatively short, and therefore, the bending is easy to correct by
alignment operation of the alignment plates 58.
[0084] Further, the completion of the end-face stitching processing
includes not only that operation for discharging a bunch of sheets
from the first processing tray 54 to the first sheet discharge tray
24 is completed, but also initial setting operation of the
alignment plates 58 on the first processing tray 54, initial
position return of the reference surface shift belt 64, and initial
position setting of each mechanism to receive the next sheet.
[0085] Described next is the case of performing saddle stitching
with the saddle stitching unit 82 and transporting the sheets to
the stacker 84 that is the second processing tray so as to perform
folding processing with the folding rollers 92 and folding blade 94
and make the folded bunch of sheets. To transport to the stacker
84, the sheet transported to the transport path 42 via the carry-in
path 32 is once switchback-transported on the transport path 42,
and the switchback-transported sheet is transported from the branch
path 70 to the stacker 84.
[0086] Herein, it is defined as "second tray transport" that the
switchback-transported sheet is transported to the stacker 84 via
the branch path 70. Sheets for saddle stitching to perform the
second tray transport are usually sheets with relatively long
lengths in the transport direction to bend in two e.g. sheets of
each size of A3, B4 and legal. Accordingly, these sheets
significantly protrude to the downstream side of the first
processing tray 54 in switchback transport for the second tray
transport, and bending or fluttering occurs in the switchback
transport. Further, in the second tray transport, since a transport
distance to the stacker 84 is relatively long, bending is
increased, and is sometimes not corrected even when the saddle
stitching alignment plate 81 aligns.
[0087] In recent years, sheets have been transported at
considerably high velocity with speedup of the image formation
apparatus A, particularly significant productivity is required for
end-face stitching, and therefore, in applying the velocity to the
second tray transport, bending and fluttering of the sheet is
increased. Accordingly, in the invention, the velocity of
switchback transport in the second tray transport is made lower
than the velocity of switchback transport in the wait transport,
and it is intended to suppress bending and fluttering of the sheet
in the second tray transport.
[0088] The respect of a difference in the velocity in switchback
transport on the transport path 42 between the wait transport and
the second tray transport as described above will be described with
reference to sheet flow views from FIGS. 6A to 10B and flowchart
diagram of FIG. 11.
[Wait Transport for End-Face Stitching]
[0089] First, referring to FIGS. 6A to 8B, the wait transport will
be described where the transport rollers 44 are rotated backward to
cause a sheet to wait in the branch path 70 and then, the sheet is
transported to the first processing tray 54 side again so as to
collect in the first processing tray 54 to perform end-face
stitching on a bunch of sheets.
[0090] In FIGS. 6A to 8B, using the case of A4 horizontal that is
used relatively frequently in end-face stitching as an example, SL
represents a distance from the sheet sensor 42S of the transport
path 42 to the exit position (first processing tray exit 50) of the
exit roller 48. In this Embodiment, SL is set at 120 mm to 130 mm.
Accordingly, the sheet has a length less than twice the SL, and as
shown in FIG. 6A, is in a state in which about the half or less
protrudes outside the apparatus.
[0091] First, in FIG. 6A, a first sheet (sheet 1) to perform
end-face stitching is transported on the transport path at about
1100 m/s. When the sheet sensor 42S detects the sheet rear end, the
transport rollers 44 are once halted, and then, the transport
roller motor 44M is switched to backward rotation to transport the
sheet backward. At this point, as described above, the front end
side of the sheet is in a state in which almost the half
protrudes.
[0092] Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, prior to backward rotation of the
transport roller motor 44M, the switch gate 37 shifts to the
solid-line position shown in the figure. The sheet is transported
to the branch path 70 side by the transport rollers 44, and is
transported toward the downstream side on the branch path 70 by the
branch rollers 72 rotating by the transport roller motor 44M. The
transport velocity of the transport roller motor 44M at this time
is also set at a high velocity so as to transport the sheet at a
velocity of 1100 mm/s. As a matter of course, since the transport
roller motor 44M is once halted in switching from forward rotation
to backward rotation, the velocity of 1100 mm/s is set as a
transport target velocity, and although the average velocity is
slightly lower, high-velocity transport is performed to be in time
for sheet carry-in from the image formation apparatus.
[0093] In FIG. 7A, when the rear end of the preceding sheet (sheet
1) subjected to switchback transport arrives at a position for not
interfering with carry-in of the next sheet (sheet 2) in the branch
position 36, the transport roller motor 44M is halted. By this
means, the branch rollers 72 are also halted, and the preceding
sheet waits in the branch path 70 to wait for carry-in of the next
sheet. The next sheet (sheet 2) is transported from the carry-in
path 32 toward the transport path 42 at 1100 mm/s by the carry-in
roller motor 34M.
[0094] Successively, in FIG. 7B, prior to arrival of the next sheet
at the transport path 42, the switch gate 37 is shifted to a
position for blocking the escape path as shown in the figure. By
this means, the next sheet (sheet 2) is transported to the
transport path 42. The sheet is transported so as to enable the
sheet to overlap the preceding sheet (sheet 1) waiting in the
branch path 70 and be transported. At this point, as shown in the
figure, the preceding sheet (sheet 1) is transported, while
shifting slightly to the rear side with respect to the front end of
the next sheet (sheet 2). As shown next, due to the fact that the
uppermost sheet (sheet close to the take-in roller 56) in carrying
in the first processing tray 54 is positioned away from the
reference surface 57, a plurality of sheets is aligned in the
reference surface 57 with accuracy by rotation of the take-in
roller 56.
[0095] In addition, in overlapping these two sheets one another,
both the carry-in roller motor 34M and the transport roller motor
44M are set to transport the sheets at the same velocity with 1100
mm/s as the transport attainment velocity.
[0096] Next, the flow proceeds to a state of FIG. 8A, and before
two overlapping sheets are released from the transport rollers 44,
the exit upper roller 48a of the exit rollers 48 moves down toward
the exit lower roller 48b to nip the sheets. At this point, the
exit rollers 48 transport at the same velocity as that of the
transport rollers 44, and when the sheets are released from the
transport rollers 44, are once halted. After the halt, at this
point, the exit rollers 48 are driven to rotate to the reference
surface 57 side of the first processing tray 54. By this means, two
sheets (sheets 1 and 2) are transported to the reference surface 57
side on the placement surface of the first processing tray 54, and
successively, are transported by the take-in roller 56 driven by
the transport roller motor 44M via the gear 144 with a one-way
clutch. In addition, with respect to transport to the reference
surface 57 side by the exit rollers 48, by decreasing the velocity
from rotation of 1100 mm/s to about 600 mm/s to transport,
alignment is made easier.
[0097] FIG. 8B illustrates a state in which a third sheet (sheet 3)
is carried in the first processing tray 54. Also in this case, as
in the above-mentioned case, before the third sheet is released
from the transport rollers 44, the exit upper roller 48a is moved
down to rotate in the same direction as in the transport rollers
44, and after the sheet is released, the rotation direction is
reversed this time to carry to the reference surface 57 side
together with the take-in roller 56. This operation is repeated up
to the designated number of sheets to create a single bunch, and
after performing the binding processing with the end-face stitching
unit 62, the bunch of sheets is discharged to the first sheet
discharge tray 24.
[0098] As described above, in the wait transport for end-face
stitching in FIGS. 6A to 8B, the switchback transport velocity of
the transport rollers 44 is set at 1100 mm/s as the set velocity to
perform high-velocity transport.
[Second Tray Transport for Saddle Stitching]
[0099] Referring to FIGS. 9A to 10B, described next is the "second
tray transport" for rotating the transport rollers 44 backward to
feed to the stacker via the branch path 70, in order to collect
sheets in the stacker (second processing tray) as the second tray
to perform saddle stitching on the middle portion in the sheet
transport direction of a bunch of sheets.
[0100] In FIGS. 9A to 10B, using the case of an A3-sheet that is
used relatively frequently in saddle stitching as an example, as in
the previous end-face stitching, SL represents a distance from the
sheet sensor 42S of the transport path 42 to the exit position
(first processing tray exit 50) of the exit roller 48. In this
Embodiment, SL is 120 mm to 130 mm, and the sheet for saddle
stitching has a length about 3.5 times the SL, and as shown in FIG.
9A, is in a state in which about two-thirds or more protrudes
outside the apparatus.
[0101] First, FIG. 9A illustrates that the second tray transport is
performed to feed to the stacker 84 via the branch path 70 so as to
perform saddle stitching, where a first sheet (sheet 1) is
transported on the transport path 42 at about 1100 m/s. When the
sheet sensor 42S detects the sheet rear end, the transport rollers
44 are once halted, and then, the transport roller motor 44M is
switched to backward rotation so as to transport the sheet
backward. At this point, as described above, the front end side of
the sheet is in a state in which almost two-thirds or more
protrudes outside the apparatus.
[0102] Next, as shown in FIG. 9B, prior to backward rotation of the
transport roller motor 44M, the switch gate 37 shifts to the
position shown in the figure. The sheet is transported to the
branch path 70 side by the transport rollers 44, and is transported
toward the downstream side of the branch path 70 by the branch
rollers 72 rotating by the transport roller motor 44M. The
transport velocity of the transport roller motor 44M at this time
is also set to be changed to a low velocity so as to transport the
sheet at a velocity of 600 mm/s by reducing the velocity.
[0103] Then, when the first sheet (sheet 1) is nipped by the branch
rollers 72 rotating at the same velocity of 600 mm/s, the switch
gate 37 shifts to the position (position for blocking the escape
path) for releasing the transport path 42. Concurrently therewith,
the transport upper roller 44a of the transport rollers 44 is
separated from the transport lower roller 44b to wait for carry-in
of the next sheet (sheet 2).
[0104] In addition, since the transport roller motor 44M is once
halted in switching from forward rotation to backward rotation, the
velocity of 600 mm/s is set as a transport target velocity, and
although the average velocity is slightly lower, the velocity is
reduced with this velocity as a set value. Further, at the time of
switchback transport, the velocity is reduced from 1100 mm/s to 600
mm/s. This is because fluttering of a sheet particularly occurs
significantly in switchback transport that is return transport of
the sheet and the sheet is transported a relatively long distance,
the velocity is reduced particularly in the return. As another
Embodiment, when the processing speed does particularly not require
high speed, in reciprocating transport for discharging the sheet
undergoing switchback outside the apparatus, the velocity may be
reduced from 1100 mm/s to 600 mm/s.
[0105] Next, in FIG. 10A, the next sheet (sheet 2) is transported
to the transport path 42 by the carry-in roller 34. In this case,
since the transport rollers 44 are in a separate state as shown in
the figure, the preceding first sheet (sheet 1) is transported to
the stacker 84 at 600 mm/s by the branch rollers 72 and branch exit
rollers 74, and the next second sheet (sheet 2) is transported on
the transport path 42 at 1100 mm/s toward the first processing tray
54 side by the carry-in roller 34. In this case, two sheets are
transported (passing-transported) while passing each other in
opposite directions.
[0106] The passing transport is performed so as to eliminate or
reduce the wait time of the next sheet, because the preceding sheet
is transported at the reduced velocity.
[0107] Then, in FIG. 10B, since the preceding sheet is removed from
the branch rollers 72 and in a state of being stored in the stacker
84, the transport upper roller 44a is moved down to make the
transport rollers 44 a nip state, and the sheet is transported at
the velocity of 1100 mm/s toward the first sheet discharge tray 24
side. Subsequently, the sheet is transported successively in the
state of FIG. 9A, and this operation is repeated up to the
designated number of sheets to create a single bunch in the stacker
84. Then, the bunch of sheets is shifted to a binding position of
the saddle stitching unit 82 by the stopper 85 shown in FIG. 2 to
perform saddle stitching processing.
[0108] As described above, in the second tray transport for saddle
stitching in FIGS. 9A to 10B, the switchback transport velocity of
the transport rollers 44 is set at 600 mm/s as the set velocity to
perform low-velocity transport so as to reduce fluttering and
bending of the sheet in switchback transport.
[0109] Herein, the wait transport of FIGS. 6A to 8B and transport
velocity switch in FIGS. 9A to 10B described in the forgoing will
be confirmed with reference to a flow diagram of FIG. 11. Further,
another Embodiment different from the Embodiment described in the
foregoing will be described with reference to FIG. 12.
[Velocity Reduction in Switchback Velocity Corresponding to
End-Face Stitching or Saddle Stitching]
[0110] First, as shown in FIG. 11, when an "end-face stitching
mode" or "saddle stitching mode" is set from the control panel 18
of the image formation section 2, the mode is confirmed (Step 10).
When the mode is end-face stitching, since sheets with relatively
short lengths are usually used, the velocity of switchback
transport is kept at 1100 mm/s to perform (Step 20). By this means,
for example, a sheet or sheets up to three sheets are once
switchback-transported to wait (branch path wait) in the branch
path 70, and are switchback-transported again to the first
processing tray 54 side together with a subsequent sheet. When the
wait transport is completed, the step is finished, and the flow
shifts to the next step.
[0111] Next, when saddle stitching is confirmed (Step 10), it is
assumed that sheets with relatively long lengths are usually used,
and as described in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the switchback transport
velocity by the transport rollers 44 is reduced from 1100 mm/s to
600 mm/s to perform switchback transport (Step 40). The presence or
absence of a subsequent sheet to carry in the stacker 84 to be a
bunch is checked (Step 50). When the step is not completed and
there is the subsequent sheet to be a bunch, the passing transport
as shown in FIG. 10B is executed. When there is not the subsequent
sheet to be a bunch, the processing of the second tray transport is
completed, and the flow shifts to the next step such as saddle
stitching.
Embodiment 2 . . . Velocity Change while Checking the Sheet Size in
End-Face Stitching and Saddle Stitching
[0112] A Modification of the Embodiment as described above will be
described next with reference to a flow diagram of FIG. 12.
[0113] In the Embodiment up to FIG. 11 in the foregoing,
corresponding to whether the binding mode is end-face stitching for
binding end faces of a bunch of sheets on the first processing tray
54 or saddle stitching for binding a bunch of sheets collected in
the stacker 84, it is selected performing while uniformly keeping
the velocity of switchback transport at 1100 mm/s or performing
while reducing the velocity from 1100 mm/s to 600 mm/s. This manner
enables almost the processing to be covered, but there are sheets
with long transport distances even in end-face stitching. On the
other hand, even in saddle stitching, the case occurs where
relatively short sheets are processed.
[0114] By adopting the flow in FIG. 12, it is intended to stably
feed relatively long sheets of the time of end-face stitching or
relatively short sheets of the time of saddle stitching.
[Velocity Change Corresponding to the Sheet Size in End-Face
Stitching]
[0115] In other words, when the "end-face stitching mode" or
"saddle stitching mode" is set from the control panel 18 of the
image formation section 2, the mode is confirmed (Step 100). When
the mode is end-face stitching, the flow proceeds to the left side
as viewed in the figure, and it is checked whether or not the
length of the sheet to perform end-face stitching is longer than a
predetermined length (Step 110). In this Modification, the case
where the sheet size is B5, A4 horizontal or letter is set for
short, and the case of exceeding the size e.g. lengths of A3, B4,
legal and A4 vertical are set for long. Then, in the case of short,
the processing is performed, while keeping the velocity of
switchback transport at 1100 mm/s (Step 120). By this means, for
example, a sheet or sheets up to three sheets are once
switchback-transported to wait (branch path wait) in the branch
path 70, and are switchback-transported again to the first
processing tray 54 side. When the wait transport is completed, the
step is finished, and the flow shifts to the next step.
[0116] In addition, identification of the sheet size in this
Modification is set by obtaining size information from the image
formation control section 200. Alternatively, a sensor for size
detection may be disposed near the carry-in entrance 30 of the
sheet processing apparatus B to detect.
[0117] On the other hand, when the sheet length is regarded as
being long in the above-mentioned step, the switchback transport
velocity by the transport rollers 44 is reduced from 1100 mm/s to
600 mm/s to perform switchback transport (Step 140). In this case,
when the wait transport is performed together with a subsequent
sheet, it is checked that the preceding sheet is nipped by the
branch rollers 72, and then, the passing transport with the next
sheet is performed (Step 160). When the wait transport is
completed, the step is finished, and the flow shifts to the next
step.
[Velocity Change Corresponding to the Sheet Size in Saddle
Stitching]
[0118] The "end-face stitching mode" or "saddle stitching mode" is
set, and in the case of saddle stitching, the flow proceeds to the
right side as viewed in the figure to check whether or not the
length of the sheet to perform saddle stitching is longer than a
predetermined length (Step 170). In this Modification, the case
where the sheet size is A4 vertical is set for short, and for
example, the case of A3, B4 and legal is set for long. Herein, A4
vertical that is set for long in end-face stitching is set for
short in the saddle stitching on purpose. This is because the A4
vertical size in saddle stitching is sorted to short sheets among
sheet lengths to perform saddle stitching, and is relatively easy
to obtain high-speed processing. Further, since the branch rollers
72 rotate without halting for forward and backward rotation,
alignment characteristics do not deteriorate so much, and
therefore, the criterion is changed from end-face stitching.
[0119] In the case where the sheet length of sheets for saddle
stitching is short, in this Modification, in the case of A4
vertical, the velocity of switchback transport is kept at 1100 mm/s
to perform (Step 180). By this means, when it is judged that
carry-in of sheets for saddle stitching in the stacker 84 is
completed (Step 190), the second tray transport is regarded as
being completed, and the flow shifts to the next step.
[0120] When the sheet length is regarded as being long in the
foregoing, the switchback transport velocity by the transport
rollers 44 is reduced from 1100 mm/s to 600 mm/s to perform
switchback transport (Step 200). In this case, it is confirmed that
the second tray transport is performed together with a subsequent
sheet (Step 210), and after the preceding sheet is nipped by the
branch rollers 72, the passing transport with the next sheet is
performed (Step 220). When there is not a subsequent sheet to be a
bunch, the processing of the second tray transport is completed,
and the flow shifts to the next step such as saddle stitching.
[0121] As described above, in the above-mentioned Modification,
instead of changing the velocity of switchback transport by the
transport rollers 44 corresponding to end-face stitching or saddle
stitching, in any one of end-face stitching and saddle stitching,
the sheet length is checked to change the switchback velocity.
Further, for example, in the same length of A4 vertical in end-face
stitching and A4 vertical in saddle stitching, the most suitable
switchback velocity is set to ensure compatibility between stable
transport and speedup.
[Description of a Control Configuration]
[0122] A system control configuration of the above-mentioned image
formation apparatus will be described according to a block diagram
of FIG. 13. A system of the image formation apparatus as shown in
FIG. 1 is provided with the image formation control section 200 of
the image formation apparatus A and a sheet processing control
section 204 (control CPU) of the sheet processing apparatus B. The
image formation control section 200 is provided with a paper feed
control section 202 and input section 203. Then, as described
previously, the setting of the "print mode" and "sheet processing
mode" is performed from the control panel 18 provided in the input
section 203.
[0123] The sheet processing control section 204 is the control CPU
for operating the sheet processing apparatus B corresponding to the
designated sheet processing mode described previously. The sheet
processing control section 204 is provided with ROM 206 for storing
operation programs and RAM 207 for storing control data. Further,
to the sheet processing control section 204 are input signals from
a various-sensor input section of a carry-in sensor 30S for
detecting a sheet in the carry-in path 32, sheet sensor 42S for
detecting a sheet in the transport path 42, branch sensor 70S for
detecting a sheet in the branch path 70, paper surface sensor 24S
for detecting a paper surface on the first sheet discharge tray 24
and the like
[0124] The sheet processing control section 204 is provided with a
sheet transport control section 210 that controls the carry-in
roller motor 32M of the carry-in path 32 of a sheet, the transport
roller motor 44M of the transport path 42 and branch path, and the
exit roller motor 48M of the first processing tray 54 exit.
Further, the sheet processing control section 204 is provided with
a punch drive control section 211 that controls a punch motor 31M
for performing punching processing on a sheet in the punch unit 31,
and a processing tray (first processing tray 54) control section
212 that controls the alignment plates 58 for performing collection
operation of sheets in the first processing tray 54. Furthermore,
the section is also provided with an end-face stitching control
section 213 that controls an end-face stitching motor 62M of the
end-face stitching unit 62 for performing end-face stitching on a
bunch of sheets on the first processing tray 54, and a first tray
(first sheet discharge tray 24) up-and-down control section 214
that controls the up-and-down motor 24M for moving up and down
corresponding to a bunch of sheets subjected to end-face stitching
and sheet switchback onto the first sheet discharge tray 24.
[0125] Further, the sheet processing control section 204 has a
stacker control section 216 that controls the saddle stitching
alignment plate 81 of sheets to collect in the stacker 84 that is
the second processing tray so as to perform saddle stitching
processing and the stopper shift motor 85M of the stopper 85 for
regulating the sheet front end, and a saddle stitching control
section 217 that controls a saddle stitching motor 82M for binding
the middle portion in the transport direction of a bunch of
sheets.
[0126] Furthermore, the sheet processing control section 204 is
also provided with a middle folding .cndot. discharge control
section 218 that controls the folding rollers, folding blade and
discharge motor 92M for folding the saddle-stitched bunch of sheets
in two to discharge to the second sheet discharge tray 26.
[0127] Connection among each of the above-mentioned control
sections, each sensor for detecting the sheet length and each drive
motor, and the like are as described already in the aspect of each
operation.
[Description of Sheet Processing Modes]
[0128] The sheet processing control section 204 of this Embodiment
configured as described above causes the sheet processing apparatus
B to execute the "print-out mode", "end-face stitching mode",
"saddle stitching mode" and the like, for example. The processing
modes will be described below.
(1) "Print-Out Mode"
[0129] The mode is to receive a sheet with an image formed from the
main-body discharge outlet 3 of the image formation apparatus A and
store the sheet in the first sheet discharge tray 24 using the
transport rollers 44 and exit rollers 48.
(2) "End-Face Stitching Mode"
[0130] The mode is to receive a sheet with an image formed from the
main-body discharge outlet 3 in the first processing tray 54,
collate sheets in the shape of a bunch, perform binding processing
in the end-face stitching unit 62, and then, store in the first
sheet discharge tray 24. In addition, in the end-face stitching
processing, so as not to halt discharge of a subsequent sheet from
the main-body discharge outlet 3, the "wait transport" is sometimes
performed where a preceding sheet is switchback-transported and
temporarily waits in the branch path 70.
(3) "Saddle Stitching Mode"
[0131] The mode is to receive a sheet with an image formed from the
main-body discharge outlet 3 of the image formation apparatus A in
the stacker 84, collate sheets in the shape of a bunch, bind
substantially the center in the receive transport direction of the
sheets in the saddle stitching unit 82, fold in the shape of a
booklet, and store in the second sheet discharge tray 26.
[0132] In addition, in the saddle stitching processing, the "second
tray transport" is performed where the sheet from the main-body
discharge outlet 3 is once discharged onto the first sheet
discharge tray 24, is then switchback-transported to the branch
path 70, and is transported to the stacker 84.
[0133] Hereinafter, Modifications will be described to perform more
stable transport, while suppressing fluttering and catching in
switchback transport of the above-mentioned Embodiments. In
addition to reduction in the velocity in the switchback transport
in the foregoing, Embodiment 3 is to perform a backup guide in the
switchback transport by moving the first sheet discharge tray 24
up. Further, Embodiment 4 is to provide auxiliary guides 110 that
extend and retract under the first processing tray 54 (first tray),
and by this means, perform a backup guide in the switchback
transport. Furthermore, Embodiment 4 also describes an apparatus
where the first sheet discharge tray 24 is moved up according to
extension of the auxiliary guide 110. In addition, in drawings of
the Modifications, components similar to the foregoing are
represented by adding the same reference numerals.
Embodiment 3 . . . Backup Guide by the First Sheet Discharge Tray
in the Second Tray Transport
[0134] Referring to FIGS. 14A to 15B, described next is the case
where the first sheet discharge tray is moved up to perform backup
transport of the switchback sheet, in the "second tray transport"
for rotating the transport rollers 44 backward to feed to the
stacker via the branch path 70 so as to collect sheets in the
stacker 84 and perform saddle stitching in the middle portion in
the sheet transport direction of a bunch of sheets. In addition,
the switchback sheet performs the same transport operation as in
FIGS. 9A to 10B described already.
[0135] First, FIG. 14A illustrates performing the second tray
transport to the stacker 84 via the branch path 70 to perform
saddle stitching as in FIG. 9A. At this point, a shift of a
switchback sheet to a guide position 24Sh moved up from the sheet
receive position 24Sm of the first sheet discharge tray is
performed by driving the up-and-down motor 24M in an upward
direction from ON of the sensor flag 24f shown in FIG. 5, while
setting predetermined pulses. By this means, the switchback sheet
transported from the first processing tray exit 50 is guided by the
first sheet discharge tray 24 placement surface or the sheet loaded
on the placement surface, and fluttering and bending is
suppressed.
[0136] Next, as shown in FIG. 14B, the transport velocity of the
transport roller motor 44M is also set to change to a low velocity
so as to transport a sheet at a reduced velocity of 600 mm/s. The
placement surface of the first sheet discharge tray 24 or the
placed sheet upper surface is positioned in the guide position 24Sh
that is the solid-line position and guides the sheet to undergo
switchback.
[0137] Next, in FIG. 15A, the next sheet (sheet 2) is transported
to the transport path 42 by the carry-in roller 34, and two sheets
are transported (passing-transported) while passing each other in
the opposite directions. The placement surface of the first sheet
discharge tray 24 or the placed sheet upper surface is also
positioned in the guide position 24Sh that is the solid-line
position at this point, and guides the sheet to undergo
switchback.
[0138] Then, in FIG. 15B, as in FIG. 10B, the next sheet is
transported to the first sheet discharge tray 24 side at a velocity
of 1100 mm/s. As described above, the placement surface of the
first sheet discharge tray 24 or the placed sheet upper surface is
positioned in the guide position 24Sh that is the solid-line
position, guides the sheet to undergo switchback, and reduces
fluttering and bending at the time of switchback transport of the
sheet.
[0139] Herein, another Embodiment (Modification) of the wait
transport in end-face stitching in FIGS. 6A to 8B will be described
with reference to FIGS. 16A and 16B. FIG. 16A illustrates starting
switchback transport by the transport rollers 44 to perform the
wait transport as in FIG. 6A. In this case, in FIG. 6A, the
placement surface of the first sheet discharge tray 24 or the sheet
upper surface on the placement surface is positioned in the sheet
receive position Sm. In such a case, since the sheet to undergo
switchback is transported at a high velocity, the sheet front end
collides with the placement surface or the sheet on the placement
surface, and the switchback sheet front end sometimes buckles. To
prevent the buckle, as shown in FIG. 16A, the tray is moved down to
a separate position 24S1 and positioned so that the front end of
the switchback sheet does not collide. By shifting to this
position, it is eliminated that the switchback sheet buckles.
[0140] In addition, the distance to shift from the sheet receive
position Sm to the separate position 24S1 may be adjusted in
position so that the sheet front end does not collide, according to
the sheet size to perform the wait transport.
[0141] FIG. 16B is a Modification corresponding to FIG. 7B, and
illustrates overlapping the preceding sheet waiting in the branch
path 70 and the next sheet transported in the carry-in path 32 to
discharge to the first sheet processing tray 54. In this state, the
placement surface or the sheet upper surface placed on the
placement surface in the separate position 24S1 in FIG. 16A is
driven in an upward direction by the up-and-down motor 24M, and is
positioned upward in the sheet receive position 24Sm. By this
means, the sheet transported from the first processing tray exit 50
is supported across the first processing tray 54, and transfer to
the reference surface 57 side is performed smoothly.
[0142] As described above, in this Modification, even in
high-velocity transport of the wait transport, it is possible to
prevent the sheet front end from buckling, and by placing the sheet
across the first sheet discharge tray 24 and first processing tray
54, it is possible to carry the sheet to the reference surface 57
side smoothly.
Embodiment 4 . . . Backup Guide by Extension of the Auxiliary Guide
in the Second Tray Transport
[0143] Next, referring to FIGS. 17 to 24, it will be described that
the auxiliary guide 110 is extended above the first sheet discharge
tray 24 to backup-transport a switchback sheet at the time of
"second tray transport" for rotating the transport rollers 44
backward to feed to the stacker via the branch path 70, while
collecting sheets in the stacker 84 to perform saddle stitching in
the middle portion in the sheet transport direction of a bunch of
sheets. In addition, the sheet to undergo switchback transport
performs the same operation as in FIGS. 9A to 10B already
described.
[In Regard to the Auxiliary Guide]
[0144] Referring to FIGS. 17 to 19B, a mechanism will be described
where the auxiliary guides 110 are disposed in the Embodiment shown
in FIGS. 1 to 13. FIG. 17 is an entire explanatory view of a sheet
processing apparatus provided with the end-face stitching unit,
saddle stitching unit and auxiliary guides 110. A mechanism of the
auxiliary guides 110 is shown. As shown in FIG. 18, the auxiliary
guides 110 extend to the first sheet discharge tray 24 upper
surface from below the first processing tray 54, and guide the
lower surface of the sheet transported from the first processing
tray 54.
[0145] FIG. 19A illustrates the mechanism of the auxiliary guides
110 in FIG. 18, and FIG. 19B is a partial enlarged perspective view
of the auxiliary guide 110.
[0146] As shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the auxiliary guides 110 are
capable of proceeding (extending) to a guide position above the
first sheet discharge tray 24 or the sheet placed on the first
sheet discharge tray 24 from a storage position below the first
processing tray 54. The auxiliary guides 110 are disposed while
adjoining the exit lower roller 48b disposed in the width direction
of the first processing tray exit 50. In this Embodiment, two
auxiliary guides 110 are disposed in the width direction, and side
portions 115 of each of the auxiliary guides 110 are supported
slidably by support rails 111. Further, each of the auxiliary
guides 110 is comprised of a gentle curve-shaped lever as shown in
the figure, and on its backside, a guide rack 112 is formed in the
entire region in its shift direction.
[0147] As shown in FIG. 19B, in the guide rack 112 engages a shift
pinion 117 provided rotatably on the same shaft as the exit lower
roller shaft 48sj of the exit lower roller 48b. Drive from an
auxiliary guide motor 110M is transferred to the shift pinion 117
via a torque limiter with a pulley 121 and transmission belt
119.
[0148] Accordingly, by driving the auxiliary guide motor 110M, the
shift pinion 117 also rotates, and the guide rack 112 meshing with
the pinion also shifts according to the rotation direction, and
shifts the auxiliary guide 110. For example, as shown in FIG. 19A,
by rotation in the solid-line direction of the shift pinion 117,
the auxiliary guide 110 is extended (proceeds) to the guide
position above the first sheet discharge tray 24, and by rotation
in the dashed-line direction, retracts to below the first
processing tray 54 to shift in a direction of being stored in the
storage position. FIG. 19B also shows the rotation of the shift
pinion 117 and the shift direction of the auxiliary guide 110 by
the arrows.
[0149] Recognition of an extension/retract position of the
auxiliary guide 110 is performed by that an auxiliary guide sensor
110S provided on the rear end side of the support rail 111 detects
a rear end 114 of the auxiliary guide 110. Further, drive from the
auxiliary guide motor 110M is transferred to the auxiliary guide
110 via the torque limiter 118. Therefore, even when a front end
contact portion 116 of a front end 113 of the auxiliary guide 110
comes into contact with the placement surface of the first sheet
discharge tray 24 or the sheet placed on the tray, drive idles by
the torque limiter 118, and the auxiliary guide 110 is not
broken.
[0150] By this means, when the placement surface of the first sheet
discharge tray 24 or the sheet placed on the tray is positioned in
the guide position 24Sh that is a position nearer to the first
processing tray exit 50, the front contact portion 116 of the
auxiliary guide 110 comes into intimate contact with the placement
surface or the placed sheet upper surface to eliminate the height
difference, and the guide is more suitable as a guide of transport
of sheets (long and short dashed-line position of the placement
surface of the first sheet discharge tray 24 or the placed sheet in
FIG. 19A).
[0151] The auxiliary guide 111 configured as described above acts
as a sheet guide of switchback transport in the guide position, in
the second tray transport to transport the sheet to the stacker 84
in the present application. This respect will be described in a
subsequent flow diagram of sheets.
[Extension/Retract Operation of the Auxiliary Guide]
[0152] In the "wait transport" for rotating the transport rollers
44 backward to wait in the branch path 70, and then transporting to
the first processing tray 54 side again to collect in the first
processing tray 54 and perform end-face stitching on a bunch of
sheets shown in FIGS. 7A to 9B, the auxiliary guides 110 are
retracted to below the processing tray 54, the velocity of a
switchback sheet is also the same, and therefore, descriptions
herein are omitted.
[Extension of the Auxiliary Guide in the Second Tray Transport for
Saddle Stitching]
[0153] Referring to FIGS. 20A to 21B, described next is the "second
tray transport" for rotating the transport rollers 44 backward, and
switchback-transporting a sheet to feed to the stacker via the
branch path 70, in order to collect sheets in the stacker 84 as the
second tray (second processing tray) to perform saddle stitching in
the middle portion in the sheet transport direction of a bunch of
sheets.
[0154] The velocity to switchback-transport is the same as in FIGS.
10 and 11, and in order for the auxiliary guides 110 to guide the
sheet to undergo switchback transport, the auxiliary guide motor
110M as shown in FIG. 18 or 19 is driven in the arrow direction
shown in the figure, before the first sheet is transported
(protrudes) from the first processing tray exit 50. Accordingly,
the auxiliary guides 110 guide to the guide position above the
placement surface of the first sheet discharge tray 24 or the sheet
upper surface when the sheet is placed on the placement surface. By
this means, the height difference of the standing surface 28 is
reduced from the first sheet discharge tray 24 placement surface or
the sheet upper surface placed on the tray in the first processing
tray exit 50, the sheet to switch back is guided by the auxiliary
guides 110, and fluttering and bending is suppressed.
[0155] Next, as shown in FIG. 20B, the auxiliary guide 110 guides
the sheet to switchback in the guide position above the placement
surface of the first sheet discharge tray 24 or the placed sheet
upper surface. In addition, since the transport roller motor 44M is
once halted in switching from forward rotation to backward
rotation, above-mentioned 600 mm/s is set as a transport target
velocity, and although the average velocity is slightly lower, the
velocity is reduced with this velocity as a set value. Further, at
the time of switchback transport, the velocity is reduced from 1100
mm/s to 600 mm/s. This is because fluttering of a sheet
particularly occurs significantly in switchback transport that is
return transport of the sheet, and since the sheet is transported a
relatively long distance, the velocity is reduced particularly in
the return. Further, it is the same as the forgoing that when the
processing speed is particularly not high speed, in reciprocating
transport for discharging the sheet outside the apparatus, the
velocity may be reduced from 1100 mm/s to 600 mm/s.
[0156] Next, also in FIG. 21A, the auxiliary guide 110 is provided
to extend in the guide position in the placement surface of the
first sheet discharge tray 24 or the placed sheet upper surface,
reduces the height difference in the standing surface 28, and
guides the sheet to switch back. Then, in FIG. 21B, since the
preceding sheet is released from the branch rollers 72 and in a
storage state in the stacker 84, the transport upper roller 44a is
moved down to make the transport rollers 44 a nip state, and the
sheet is transported to the first sheet discharge tray 24 side at
the velocity of 1100 mm/s.
[0157] As described above, in the second tray transport for saddle
stitching in FIGS. 20A to 21B, the switchback transport velocity of
the transport rollers 44 is set at 600 mm/s as its set velocity,
and reduced-velocity transport is performed. Further, the auxiliary
guide 110 is provided to extend above the placement surface of the
first sheet discharge tray 24 or the placed sheet upper surface,
and guides the sheet to switch back to reduce fluttering and
bending of the sheet in the switchback transport.
[Modification of the Wait Transport . . . Auxiliary Guide Provided
to Extend in the Wait Transport]
[0158] Herein, another Embodiment (Modification) of the wait
transport in the end-face stitching in FIGS. 7A to 9B will be
described with reference to FIGS. 22A and 22B. FIGS. 22A and 22B
illustrate starting switchback transport by the transport rollers
44 to perform the wait transport as in FIGS. 7A and 7B, and FIG.
22A is an explanatory view to start switchback in the transport
path. FIG. 22B illustrates a state of successively transporting
from the transport path to the branch path. In this case, in FIGS.
7A and 7B, it is described that the auxiliary guide 110 is
positioned in the storage position stored below the first
processing tray 54 without showing in the figure. In the
Modification of FIGS. 22A and 22B, the auxiliary guide 110 is
provided to extend on the placement surface of the first sheet
discharge tray 24 or the sheet upper surface on the placement
surface. In the sheet to perform the wait transport, since the
transport length exposed outside the apparatus is relatively short,
although fluttering and bending does not occur to the extent of the
relatively long sheet in the second tray transport, the height
difference of the standing surface 28 from the first processing
tray exit is reduced also herein, and more smooth switchback
transport is thereby expected.
[0159] As described above, in this Modification, also in the wait
transport using relatively short sheets, the auxiliary guide 110 is
provided to extend in the guide position so as to transport sheets
stably.
[Modification of the Second Tray Transport . . . Ascent of the
First Sheet Discharge Tray 24]
[0160] FIGS. 23A and 23B contain explanatory views of Modification
where the first sheet discharge tray (sheet discharge tray) is
moved up in the second tray transport to store sheets in the
stacker 84 (second tray) for saddle stitching processing shown in
FIGS. 20A and 20B. FIG. 23A illustrates starting switchback in the
transport path, and FIG. 23B illustrate a state of successively
transporting from the transport path to the branch path.
[0161] In the second tray transport, the auxiliary guide 110 is
provided to extend in the guide position above the placement
surface of the first sheet discharge tray 24 or the sheet placed on
the placement surface, which is the same as shown in FIGS. 20A to
21B. In addition thereto, as shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B, the
placement surface of the first sheet discharge tray 24 or the sheet
on the placement surface is shifted to an ascent position
(solid-line position) moved up to the guide position 24Sh side from
the sheet receive position 24Sm (position of alternate long and two
short dashed line) to receive the discharged sheet. To the ascent
position, the up-and-down motor 24M for moving the first sheet
discharge tray 24 up and down in FIGS. 3 and 5 is driven to move up
in the direction nearest to the first processing tray exit 50
before the first sheet is transported (protrudes) from the first
processing tray exit 50. By this ascent, the clearance with the
front end contact portion 116 of the auxiliary guide 110 present
above is eliminated, the sheet undergoing switchback transport
resolves the height difference in this position between the first
sheet discharge tray 24 placement surface or the sheet loaded on
the placement surface and the auxiliary guide 110, and it is
possible to perform switchback transport of sheets more smoothly
with less fluttering.
[Description of a Control Configuration]
[0162] A block diagram of FIG. 24 illustrates a system control
configuration of the apparatus for performing a backup guide by
auxiliary guide extension in the second tray transport, which is
Embodiment 4 as described above. In this block diagram, in the
sheet processing control section 204 of the block diagram of FIG.
13 descried already, to the sheet transport control section 210 is
added the respect of controlling the auxiliary guide motor 110M for
moving the auxiliary guide 110 forward and backward from below the
first processing tray 54 to above the first sheet discharge tray
24. Further, to a various-sensor input section 208 is added an
auxiliary guide 110 sensor for detecting a position of the
auxiliary guide 110.
[0163] As described above, according to each of the Embodiments
described above, it is possible to provide the apparatus for
reducing bending and fluttering of a sheet also in transporting a
relatively long sheet in switchback-transporting to carry in a
different tray, and further preventing alignment characteristics
from deteriorating with few occurrences of the sheet jam.
[0164] Further, the present invention is not limited to the
above-mentioned Embodiments, various modifications thereof are
capable of being made in the scope without departing from the
invention, and all technical matters included in the technical
ideas described in the scope of the claims are subjects of the
invention. The Embodiments described previously illustrate
preferred examples, a person skilled in the art is capable of
achieving various types of alternative examples, corrected
examples, modified examples or improved examples from the content
disclosed in the present Description, and the examples are included
in the technical scope described in the scope of the claims
attached herewith.
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